Aspiro is pleased to announce Dr. Adam Balls, M.D. and Meagan Taylor, FNP-C as its new Medical Director and Associate Medical Director. Dr. Balls brings vast experience to the Aspiro medical team from his time serving in the United States Air Force as an EM physician and Team Leader for Critical Care Aeromedical Transportation on deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany. In addition to his work with Aspiro, Dr. Balls currently serves as Medical Director at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, UT, a level-1 trauma center with the state’s largest emergency department. Meagan Taylor is a certified family nurse practitioner (FNP-C) with previous experience working in wilderness therapy. She brings a uniquely relevant skill set to the Aspiro medical team and can assess, diagnose, write prescriptions, and implement treatments for Aspiro students. Further, she meets face to face with students weekly and is regularly in contact with field guides to provide medical direction. In their roles, Dr. Adam Balls and Meagan Taylor direct and provide the highest quality of medical and preventive care to all Aspiro students.

With Covid-19 presenting new challenges to the wilderness therapy programs, Aspiro has taken extraordinary measures to ensure staff and students’ health and safety. Aspiro ensures that each medical team member has the most current information on students through regular communication with therapists and the field team. This communication provides an awareness of evolving treatment goals, provides familiarity with any challenges faced by students, information on psychological concerns, and especially knowledge of the physical condition and needs of each student. Furthermore, each student participates in an in-person weekly medical assessment by a member of the medical team to assess their ongoing health.

Aspiro’s medical team is available 24/7 and has direct contact with each group’s field guides at least twice a day. They coordinate with field guides on all medical decisions and ensure that students receive the highest quality care. The Aspiro medical team has the knowledge and experience to provide the best possible care, thus allowing students and families to focus on the healing process. Click here to visit Aspiro’s medical page and learn more.

Aspiro Adventure is an outdoor mental/behavioral health treatment center located in Utah with a clinical model based around adventure therapy. This model focuses on introducing clients to high adventure activities in concert with an individualized clinical treatment plan. Adventure activities include skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and canyoneering and are paired with treatment plans drawn up by licensed mental health professionals. The Aspiro program is designed to be an intensive program to promote long-lasting change for adolescents and young adults.

About Aspiro Adventure

Aspiro Adventure is a short-term wilderness therapy program located in Utah, serving adolescents ages 13-17 and young adults ages 18-26 with varying degrees of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Aspiro is accredited by the AEE/OBH and is a NATSAP Research Designated Program. For more information about Aspiro, contact us at (801) 349-2740.